The Continental
Army suffered defeats, brutal marches, and cruel winters. Baron von
Steuben told Washington that no European army
could have survived. Yet, survive it did to triumph in one of the
remarkable
campaigns in history.

From:“Misery
at the Forge”:
Fewer than 6,000 soldiers remained,
but they…had a new sense of purpose given them by a smiling, heavyset
German
officer… Baron von Steuben formed a model company with men from every
regiment
of the army. Thousands of soldiers gathered to watch Steuben drill his
company. Steuben occasionally stumbled over the English drill commands,
and his soldiers would go marching every which way while the red-faced
Steuben cursed and bellowed in a mixture of German, French, and
English.
Fortunately, Steuben had a sense of humor and soon everyone would be
laughing.
A little comedy was a great blessing in that bleak winter.